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CERT NEWSLETTER

May 9 CERT Meeting Page 1 Prado Dam Page 1 A View from the Rig Page 2 HB Shadow Drill Pages 2—3 Shadow Drill Page 3 My Big Bear Experience with CERT Page 4 Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Pages 4 Photos from April 11 Shadow Drill Pages 5—8 CERT Mission Statement, Upcoming CERT Events and Activities, CPR Classes, Newsletter Staff Page 11

HB CERT HIGHLIGHTS

SINCE 1991

May 9, 2019 CERT General Meeting, Police Officer Troy Zeeman

By Virginia Petrelis

Off-duty Newport Beach Police Officer Troy Zeeman was attending the October 1, 2017 Route 91 Harvest concert in Las Vegas with his wife and friends when the shooting began. Not knowing where the shots were coming from, the crowd panicked. Some fell to the ground thinking that was safest and refused to get up and run. Some were trampled. Some climbed the fences to escape.

The gunman was on the 32nd

floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel shooting down at the crowd of 22,000 people in the outdoor venue. Officer Zeeman’s training kicked in and he grabbed his wife’s hand and headed toward one of the exits. He led a group of concert goers who believed he would save them because he was a cop. We laughed when he told us about a girl who grabbed his rear pants pocket and refused to let go. She was going to stick with him. He first led them to a tent where they were out of sight of the gunman. Then they escaped through the gate to an area where they could hide behind palm trees.

The shooting went on for nine to eleven minutes. Fifty eight people were killed and more than 800 injured before the gunman killed himself.

Officer Zeeman was awarded the Newport

Police Department’s very rare Medal of Valor for his heroic actions and saving multiple lives by leading them to safety even after he was shot in the thigh. He didn’t seek medical help until five hours after being shot. Read about him at this link: https://www.newportbeachindy.com/police-breakfast-honors-law-enforcement-and-families/

Officer Zeeman mentioned “Run Hide Fight” to survive an active shooter. Here are two informative You Tubes on the subject and another on “Stop the Bleed.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMOEs8Obw8k

https://www.bleedingcontrol.org/resources/videos

Thank you, Officer Zeeman, for an educational and enjoyable presentation.

Prado Dam

Recent information on the 78 year old Prado Dam reveals that there could be flooding all way into Orange County. Now Federal engineers are warning that a “significant flood event” such as strong Pacific storms could breach the spillway and drown out several communities from Anaheim to Newport Beach. After assessing the dam earlier this month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it was raising the dam's risk category from "moderate" to "high urgency."

https://patch.com/california/orange-county/prado-dam-failure-could-flood-dozens-oc-communities

https://ktla.com/2019/05/16/california-may-get-2-months-worth-of-rain-from-series-of-atmospheric-rivers/?fbclid=IwAR2yVS9ZtN__l-jx4NzLUbXx3GLnnwjQgWOq4QgPshXm1RspTjBb7u0RTZE

Thanks to Guy Jackson, Huntington Beach CERT, for compiling the above websites with information on the dam and weather.

June 2019

https://www.newportbeachindy.com/police-breakfast-honors-law-enforcement-and-families/https://www.newportbeachindy.com/police-breakfast-honors-law-enforcement-and-families/https://www.newportbeachindy.com/police-breakfast-honors-law-enforcement-and-families/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMOEs8Obw8khttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMOEs8Obw8khttps://www.bleedingcontrol.org/resources/videoshttps://www.bleedingcontrol.org/resources/videoshttps://patch.com/california/orange-county/prado-dam-failure-could-flood-dozens-oc-communitieshttps://patch.com/california/orange-county/prado-dam-failure-could-flood-dozens-oc-communitieshttps://patch.com/california/orange-county/prado-dam-failure-could-flood-dozens-oc-communitieshttps://ktla.com/2019/05/16/california-may-get-2-months-worth-of-rain-from-series-of-atmospheric-rivers/?fbclid=IwAR2yVS9ZtN__l-jx4NzLUbXx3GLnnwjQgWOq4QgPshXm1RspTjBb7u0RTZEhttps://ktla.com/2019/05/16/california-may-get-2-months-worth-of-rain-from-series-of-atmospheric-rivers/?fbclid=IwAR2yVS9ZtN__l-jx4NzLUbXx3GLnnwjQgWOq4QgPshXm1RspTjBb7u0RTZEhttps://ktla.com/2019/05/16/california-may-get-2-months-worth-of-rain-from-series-of-atmospheric-rivers/?fbclid=IwAR2yVS9ZtN__l-jx4NzLUbXx3GLnnwjQgWOq4QgPshXm1RspTjBb7u0RTZEhttps://ktla.com/2019/05/16/california-may-get-2-months-worth-of-rain-from-series-of-atmospheric-rivers/?fbclid=IwAR2yVS9ZtN__l-jx4NzLUbXx3GLnnwjQgWOq4QgPshXm1RspTjBb7u0RTZEhttps://ktla.com/2019/05/16/california-may-get-2-months-worth-of-rain-from-series-of-atmospheric-rivers/?fbclid=IwAR2yVS9ZtN__l-jx4NzLUbXx3GLnnwjQgWOq4QgPshXm1RspTjBb7u0RTZE

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A View from a Rig -- HB Races Shadow Drill By Richard Batistelli On Saturday, April 11, 2019, this CERT volunteer

was awakened by several multi-media notifications of an apparent community emergency. This was a training drill scheduled by Huntington Beach RACES; I was out the door to my assignment in short order. But the purpose of this annual training exercise was very real.

HB RACES and CERT, working in collaboration, were

simulating the procedures and protocols created in the event of the total collapse of the emergency communications frequencies of the HB Fire Department’s 800 megahertz radio callout system. Without these functioning frequencies, fire headquarters could not adequately receive, select or deploy necessary fire equipment, fire, ambulance or support where needed in this city, or county, state mutual aid efforts. There are other avenues of communications, i.e., telephone, text or email, but radio callouts are by far the most effective. Without the radio system, this city’s fire response would be severely limited.

This training, the Shadow Drill, involves the

assignment of amateur radio operators to each apparatus: fire truck, engine or ambulance in the city and communicating their assignment of such equipment by use of the volunteer’s 2 meter radio. This exercise was and is a creative solution to an otherwise disastrous situation for any emergency operation. It was a very successful effort in no small part due to the tasking, organizing and implementing of volunteer training by RACES leadership.

As this drill drew on the talents and availability of the

many RACES and CERT volunteers, some of whom are submitting their experiences in this CERT Newsletter, this readership should be entertained by the varied perspectives and insights of those volunteers submitting articles. My personal training and understanding of the drill was equally exciting and enlightening. It was necessary to learn the various types of fire apparatus: truck, engine, or ET (ambulance), BC (Battalion Chief), USART (Urban Search and Rescue), etc. Also, the lexicon requirements were somewhat overwhelming. It was necessary to state the status of the apparatus to which we were assigned: ALS (Advanced Life Support), two paramedics, BLS (Basic Life Support), one paramedic, available, unavailable, AOR (available on radio), on scene, in route, and in quarters. By the time of my final duty location, Magnolia Station #4, I felt confident and was comfortable with my performance.

Lastly, I must thank some of this city’s finest firemen. BC Marty Ortez, with whom I worked in the morning, was very helpful with my learning the language of firefighters. And the hospitality of Magnolia Station #4, Engine 44 cannot be understated. Captain Cole, Engineer Jason, and Paramedics Chris and Nick made my introduction to the “lights and siren” calls an exciting conclusion to this daylong event. This day was well spent learning the protocols, language, equipment, locations and more importantly, my preparations for readiness, if needed, to assist the Huntington Beach Fire Department as an emergency communicator

HB RACES Shadow Drill By Jon Welfringer, WB6OZD / W6HBR Trustee HB RACES Public Information Officer On Saturday May 11

th, Huntington Beach RACES

(HBRACES) was activated to perform an eight hour shadow drill with Huntington Beach Fire Department (HBFD). This simulated failure of the Orange County 800 MHz fire dispatch system. A total of 26 HBRACES members were deployed to Huntington Beach Emergency Operations Center 911 dispatch (EOC), Fire Dispatch Operations Center (FDOC) and an assigned member on each apparatus/vehicle at every fire station within the City.

The day started with the HBRACES Chief Radio

Officer, Jim Hansen (KG6ZDP) being notified by the City that HBRACES has been activated to provide dispatch and tactical communications because of an 800 MHz system failure. Hansen then activated HBRACES members by utilizing the AlertOC (reverse 911) system to perform the call out. Assistant Chief Radio Officer, Greg Turlis (K6GAT), was first on site at the FDOC Fire Station #1 and immediately established net control operations on the HBRACES (W6HBR) 2 meter repeater.

HBRACES members checked in to net control to

signify that they were en route to their pre-assigned fire stations. When HBRACES members arrived at the stations, they checked in with the fire station captain for their apparatus assignment and with the assistance of the fire apparatus engineer, quickly moved to add a mobile antenna to each vehicle. Once their equipment was in place, HBRACES members checked back in to net control to alert them of their operational status using a tactical call sign that matched their apparatus assignment.

(continued on page 3)

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HB RACES Shadow Drill (continued from page 2) At the EOC, HBRACES members monitored the 911

calls and logged all fire related emergencies. Utilizing the HBRACES 70cm repeater system, the EOC 911 dispatch communicated these calls to the HBRACES FDOC dispatch where the calls were logged and given to the FDOC Fire Captain. HBFD training officer Captain Carl Corbin would then make the decision as to which FD apparatus should be deployed to each call. FDOC HBRACES dispatch communicated the call on the 2 meter net to the required HBRACES field members via their tactical call signs. HBRACES members conveyed the call to their local station captain and apparatus crew. HBRACES members also communicated back to net control any changes in apparatus available/unavailable status, en route or on-scene status as well as changes in ALS/BLS capability status so the FDOC Fire Captain could accurately track his available assets.

During the drill period, HBRACES dispatched 27 calls through the EOC to the FDOC and finally to the appropriate FD station/apparatus. During this shadow drill, the 911 dispatch process was still being handled normally at MetroNet with apparatus dispatch being handled by computer algorithm. The drill is not only a training and testing of the HBRACES members’ ability to communicate, but also a test of HBFD’s ability to adequately dispatch and track their required apparatus. It was a very successful day with both HBRACES and HBFD being able to communicate and coordinate the HBFD assets in a crisis situation.

Shadow Drill By Raji Shunmugavel This year, after having two tabletop exercises with HB

RACES preparing for the “Shadow Drill - 2019,” I was more at ease with the training received by their leadership. Utilizing my 2 meter (2m) ham radio to log into the net (Fire Dispatch) and learning from the five page training quiz, I gained the confidence to be ready for the drill on May 11th.

This drill was developed and executed in order to

gauge the ability and readiness of RACES and CERT volunteers communicators, in an emergency, to replace the 800 MHz Huntington Beach FD Communications System (if that System became inoperative).

Some twenty RACES volunteers joined forces with

CERT radio trained and tested veterans, and then they were assigned and spread out to the varied city Fire Stations (FS) in this beautiful city. These volunteers included, Bob Dow (KG6VDI), Ken Mailman (KF6YAY), Manny Vizinho (KG6IQL), Joe Tom (KB6JOE), Kitty Kwan (KJ6RJB), Richard Batistelli (KI6TJI), Jon Welfringer (WB6OZD) and myself, Raji (KG6CCB). I am sorry if I missed anyone. Also, if any member of CERT is interested in this very important function, they can contact any of those listed here for help in becoming a radio amateur operator.

My day in this drill was spent at FS #46 riding along with Emergency Transport (ET46), delivering patients to both Orange Coast and Hoag Hospitals. I was able to ride with a skilled and experienced team of paramedics, performing their everyday responsibilities. At sundown, I dismantled my radio gear, removed my antenna from their apparatus, and sat down and enjoyed a delicious home cooked dinner prepared by the Captain and crew of ET46.

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My Big Bear Experience with CERT By Priscilla Atkinson Upon my retirement in 1998, I became a resident of

Big Bear Lake. Needing to be involved in the community, I joined the San Bernardino Sheriff’s “Volunteers of Big Bear.” After a year of involvement, I was nominated Commander of the volunteer group, “Citizens on Patrol.”

Our Fire Department was requesting volunteers for

the CERT program. After researching this program, I requested permission for our department to become involved and the Sheriff agreed. I recruited members and we were successful in learning basic disaster survival, rescue skills and emergency needs. This became very beneficial to our Sheriff’s Department.

Our CERT Team became very active in our daily

activities, always aware of new ways to assist our community. The major activities that we were able to assist in were fire activities, as several very large fires threatened our mountains and communities.

Our team was called out to travel daily to the city of

San Bernardino and other nearby communities that were involved in fires. We evacuated residents from their homes, patrolled the areas affected and kept people from returning to the fire zones. We worked 15 to 16 hours daily and had to drive back and forth to Big Bear.

During the winters, we patrolled areas and assisted in

retrieving vehicles and people stuck in snow drifts. We also had a Lake Patrol to keep people off the icy lake. Our Fire Department assisted in rescues of people and animals who had fallen through the ice.

We also assisted in light search and rescue, both in

winter and summer. We assessed needs, risks and what condition people might be in during accidents or disasters, developed priorities and made plans. Sometimes, we were first on scene and called out for needed assistance to the Sheriff’s or Fire Departments. We also assisted with traffic control as needed.

During the “Grand Prix” and “Old” fires in 2003, we

were ordered to evacuate Big Bear. There was no way to stop the fire. We went door to door and patrolled all over the valley ordering residents to leave the area. Following the evacuation, most of our members left with their families. I remained in Big Bear and assisted the sheriffs in moving all the equipment out of the department to a safe place.

Big Bear became a ghost town and not much hope remained. Fire trucks from all over came and lined the boulevard, ready to go into action. Fortunately, a set of dark clouds came over our city and kept going west towards the forest. In very little time, the clouds dropped snow on the fire and slowed it down enough to stop it from reaching Big Bear. Our prayers were answered.

Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies for 3 to 7 Days –FEMA Tips By Ada Hand If you evacuate, take your pets with you. Know ahead of time which shelters will/won’t take pets. If you can’t care for your pets yourself, find a neighbor, friend or relative to help. PREPARE: Have one Pet Grab-n-Go Bag for staying in the home; another smaller one to take with you. Check each year to make sure items are fresh. Keep in an easily accessible location with your own Grab-n-Go Bag. Below is a list of suggested items: Food, water, bowls, treats, poop scooper, bags, meds, pet records (vaccination and medical records, allergy or other special instructions) and a crate as some shelters require them. Also have name, address and phone number of veterinarian and people to contact to take care of the animal. Pet First Aid Kit – soap, adhesive pads, bandage rolls & tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea & tick prevention, latex gloves, sanitary wipes, isopropyl alcohol & saline solution, instant cold pack, gauze pads, waterproof pads and First Aid book. Identification – your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and license number. Have a backup leash, collar and ID tag in the emergency supply kit. Include registration and adoption papers, vaccination documents & medical records in a waterproof container; consider microchipping; a picture of you and your pet speeds recovery if you’re separated. Sanitation – pet litter & litter box for cats, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags & household chlorine bleach diluted 9 parts water to 1 part bleach for a disinfectant. To purify water use 16 drops bleach per gallon of water (don’t use scented or color safe bleach). Security Items – a favorite toy or bedding may help relieve your pet’s stress. PLAN Decide to stay in place or evacuate by listening to media or CERT emergency callout. Your buddy system should include emergency contacts so you can meet up later. Have contact information in your emergency kit for the area’s animal control agencies including the Humane Society and emergency veterinary hospitals.

STAY INFORMED -- Go to www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY for more information.

http://www.ready.gov

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April 11, 2019 Shadow Drill

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April 11, 2019 Shadow Drill (continued)

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April 11, 2019 Shadow Drill (continued)

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April 11, 2019 Shadow Drill (c0ntinued)

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Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is to provide information and training on disaster preparedness; provide leadership and coordination during an emergency, and assistance to help victims recover from an emergency.

C I T Y O F H U N T I N G T O N B E A C H C E R T

CERT NEWSLETTER STAFF: Virginia Petrelis (Editor), Peter Petrelis (Publisher), Richard Batistelli, Anna Pinter, Cynthia Goebel, Carol Nehls, Rajarajeswari (Raji) Shunmugavel, Cathy Stanfill

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! CERT Website: www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/cert CERT Contact: CERT@surfcity-hb.org CERT Message line 714-536-5974 (THIS IS A MESSAGE LINE ONLY!)

Upcoming CERT Events & Activities

CERT General Membership Meeting, June 13, 2019, 6:30 PM in B8, topic will be vector control.

CERT General Membership Meeting, July 11, 2019, 6:30 PM in B8.

CPR Classes

Fire Med customers can take CPR classes for free and non-FireMed customers can take classes for a fee.

Saturday, June 8, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wednesday, June 26, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Wednesday, July 24, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Saturday, August 10, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Wednesday, August 28, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

To enroll in CPR classes, call 800-400-4277 or 714-556-4277. Class location is in the HB area and exact location given at time of enrollment.

http://www.surfcity-hb.org/CERTmailto:CERT@surfcity-hb.org